ABS-CBN News

Matti bowing out of the project was a mutual understanding between the network, Star Cinema and the director, due to "creative differences," said Kane Choa, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications in a statement.

"ABS-CBN, Star Cinema, and director Erik Matti have mutually decided to part ways in the filming of "Darna" because of creative differences and to allow the filmmaker to work on his other projects under his own production company Reality Entertainment," the statement read.

The Kapamilya network and Star Cinema are committed to continue doing the new "Darna" film with its newest director, it added.

A new "Darna" director will be named soon, it added.

In May 2017, it was officially announced that actress Liza Soberano will topbill the new "Darna" movie by Star Cinema.

She succeeds Marian Rivera, who was the last to portray the iconic Mars Ravelo character onscreen.

Angel Locsin, who played Darna in 2005, was first tapped by Matti to star in new "Darna" film but a back injury forced the actress out of the project.